Hydraulic Bearing Arrangement for Thrust Load Sharing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Single bearings in rotating shafts, such as those in gas turbine engines, face challenges due to limited thrust capability, geometrical variations, and material expansion, leading to uneven load distribution and potential failure, requiring precise matching and control, which increases manufacturing costs and makes load determination difficult.
Innovation Solution
A bearing arrangement with first and second thrust bearings connected hydraulically using a non-compressible fluid, allowing axial thrust load sharing, thereby tolerating geometrical variations and material expansion, and enabling equal or unequal load distribution between bearings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If two or more bearings are arranged adjacent one another to share the thrust load, then the thrust capability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases due to geometrical variations causing uneven load distribution
Solution Approach 1:
A hydraulic connection using non-compressible fluid acts as an intermediary between the thrust bearings, transmitting load through fluid pressure rather than direct mechanical contact. This eliminates the need for precise geometrical matching between bearings while maintaining effective load sharing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydraulic system with non-compressible fluid to connect thrust bearings, using fluid pressure to distribute and equalize loads between bearings. This hydraulic coupling allows bearings with geometrical variations to share thrust loads effectively without requiring precise manufacturing matching.
2Reliability
If bearings are precisely matched to share load equally, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic connection serves as a mediator that automatically balances loads between bearings with different geometries, achieving reliable operation without the need for expensive precision matching during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the load transmission parameter from direct mechanical contact (requiring precise geometry) to fluid pressure transmission (insensitive to geometrical variations), thereby maintaining reliability while reducing manufacturing costs.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the geometry of rolling elements and bearing races is carefully controlled and matched, then the load sharing is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing a hydraulic connection system, the patent simplifies the overall device architecture. Instead of requiring complex precision matching of multiple bearing components, the hydraulic system provides automatic load balancing through fluid pressure equalization.
4Manufacturing precision
If matched bearings are selected and installed, then the initial load distribution is improved, but the reliability deteriorates under thermal expansion conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic connection allows the system to adapt to thermal expansion by changing the load distribution parameter dynamically. The non-compressible fluid automatically adjusts pressure distribution as bearings expand or contract with temperature changes, maintaining reliable operation throughout the thermal cycle.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The hydraulic connection allows for effective load sharing between bearings, reducing the need for precise matching, preventing skidding and failure, and enabling reliable load determination through pressure measurements, thus improving service life prediction and maintenance scheduling.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic connection, connecting the first and second thrust bearings and comprising a non-compressible fluid; wherein applying a shaft thrust load axially moves the first thrust bearing so that the first pressure face displaces the non-compressible fluid from the first thrust bearing to the second thrust bearing
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing arrangement includes: first and second thrust bearings, arranged on a shaft and including respective first and second pressure faces; and a hydraulic connection, connecting the first and second thrust bearings and having a non-compressible fluid. Applying a shaft thrust load axially moves the first thrust bearing so that the first pressure face displaces the non-compressible fluid from the first thrust bearing to the second thrust bearing so as to apply a reaction force to the second pressure face, in order that the thrust load is shared between the first and second thrust bearings.